Few things are as inspiring and touching as Jim Valvano’s speech at the 1993 ESPYs. As any level of sports fan, you must remember it, or have seen it replayed. If not, watch now. We will wait.
The speech motivates everyone who hears it, not the least of which are the Wolfpack basketball team. That’s why they will be wearing a special uniform for this year’s Jimmy V Classic.
The rallying cry from the speech was “Don’t Ever Give up” which will be featured on the back of the jersey, in place of the players’ names. Around the neck there is a design that looks like a cut net hanging from the players’ neck.
The net is a tribute to N.C. State coach Everett Case who created/popularized the tradition of cutting down the nets, when he did so after the team won the Southern Conference title in 1947.
Also, on the left chest is the V Foundation logo, in black.
Nice, touching tribute. If you don’t like it, just go elsewhere to comment. Here, we show love for this.
Here’s Jim’s speech from the 1993 ESPY’s:
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JR Francis is an actor, writer, director, graphic designer, UX guru, father, comedian, and craft beer snob. You can reach him at jrfrancis@sportslogos.net or on Twitter @JRFrancisSLN *One of several full-time uniform reporters this site has including its founder, Chris Creamer, who started his site in 1997
BuffaloBillyJ
Friday, November 30, 2012 at 09:24Incredibly classy and well deserved tribute. God bless Jimmy V...that ESPY's speech lives within me.
Ron
Friday, November 30, 2012 at 09:41Nothing but love for this totally classy tribute to Jimmy V...that ESPY's speech can still bring a man to tears
Paul Pelkonen
Friday, November 30, 2012 at 11:46Get it. Love it. For once a tribute one-off jersey gets it right!
Kyle
Friday, November 30, 2012 at 15:01I think it'd be sweet if they kept the V Foundation logo on their jerseys forever as a patch to honor him. Very well done.
Silver Turtle
Monday, January 14, 2013 at 13:33if they DON'T keep it, I will be highly upset. They need to keep those jerseys and wear them in the NCAA Tournament [which they'll probably make this year]
Aaron
Friday, November 30, 2012 at 15:26The net design placement on the jersey is a bit odd. But yes keep the black patch somewhere on the full time jerseys possibly on the back collar ala Chuck Daly's name on the Pistons jerseys. As for the slogan Never Give Up, fit it somewhere on or around the patch, ala Sam Mills' slogan on the Carolina Panthers jerseys. Not where the player's name is supposed to be.It's like an ode to the Chicago Bears GSH initials on the arms of the jerseys or Al Davis' name placed on the helmets. Really nice tribute.
Steve H
Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 00:47No Names = Message read, = Emphasis on the team
Mark
Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 11:45Good speech, not moving, but a really, really good speech.
ingmar66
Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 15:46Very nice tribute to Jimmy V with a very nice looking shirt. This time the adidas people got it totally right.